Totnes Guildhall
Totnes Guildhall
4.5
Speciality MuseumsHistoric SitesHistoric Walking AreasHistorical & Heritage ToursHistory Museums
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Full view
About
Totnes Guildhall was built in 1553 on the ruins of the medieval priory, founded in 1088. It has been the heart of the town’s administrative, legal and ceremonial life for centuries, serving as court, prison and meeting place. The Guildhall has been the home of the Town Council for over 450 years. Take a look at the boards in the Lower Hall on which over 600 mayors are listed in gold leaf. Come and see the beautiful premises, which were rebuilt as the meeting place of the Merchant Guild, and feel the history at the former local Magistrates’ Court which was used from 1624 to 1974. See the original cells where, until 1887, prisoners awaited trial and punishment. Climb the 17th century stairs to the elegant Council Chamber, with its plaster frieze and the table where Oliver Cromwell sat in 1646. Please be aware the Guildhall is staffed by volunteers and may sometimes be closed for private functions. Open Monday to Friday (Closed on Bank Holidays)
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
93 reviews
Excellent
55
Very good
22
Average
14
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Anita
Scunthorpe, UK1,555 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
We found the Guildhall completely by chance as I spotted an interesting building when walking around the churchyard.
It is free but donations are encouraged.
We got a wonderful talk and tour by a gentleman who told us all about the building and it's history.
Well worth a visit and think the low ratings because it was hard to find or closed are at rather baffling. Though it would benefit from better signage I think this is unnecessary and would cause overcrowding in the building. Plenty of people clearly do find this fantastic historic building.
It is free but donations are encouraged.
We got a wonderful talk and tour by a gentleman who told us all about the building and it's history.
Well worth a visit and think the low ratings because it was hard to find or closed are at rather baffling. Though it would benefit from better signage I think this is unnecessary and would cause overcrowding in the building. Plenty of people clearly do find this fantastic historic building.
Written August 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tracy R
Godalming, UK44 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
The smashing guide in the museum suggested that we came here and we were so glad that we did. This is an exquisite and fascinating place. Visited by Cromwell and still used for meetings. It has a very special vibe. History but not a bit stuffy!
Written August 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EESW1
Lincolnshire, UK5,642 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
Opening very much depends on having volunteers and I had to come back in the afternoon as there was no one available that morning. It was also the last day, before closing for the winter. I was welcomed by a lovely lady who apologised they didn’t have any written information for me to take away.
It is a fascinating place to visit with the old magistrates court on the ground floor with the cells beyond. There are examples of a man trap (gruesome) as well as the town stock and a reconstruction of a pillory - designed so an offender couldn’t cover his face with his hands...
Upstairs is the public gallery with the council chamber and mayor’s parlour (with the iron door to the strongroom). Don’t miss the giraffe on wheels parked up in the gallery. Apparently this gets rolled into the council chamber if someone drones on for too long!
It is free entry, so please leave a donation in the box before leaving!
It is a fascinating place to visit with the old magistrates court on the ground floor with the cells beyond. There are examples of a man trap (gruesome) as well as the town stock and a reconstruction of a pillory - designed so an offender couldn’t cover his face with his hands...
Upstairs is the public gallery with the council chamber and mayor’s parlour (with the iron door to the strongroom). Don’t miss the giraffe on wheels parked up in the gallery. Apparently this gets rolled into the council chamber if someone drones on for too long!
It is free entry, so please leave a donation in the box before leaving!
Written November 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Inge M
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Family
My daughter and I had been quietly and respectfully looking around for 10 minutes when a member of staff demanded to know whether we were "here on holiday" and ordered us to "get out". We were literally shown the door in an extraordinarily forceful manner. The Guildhall is signposted for tourists throughout Totnes, its door was open and so we thought we were welcome to go in and look around. We have since found out the Guildhall is not open to the public on Saturdays, so it was our mistake. However, a simple closed sign outside would avoid both misunderstanding and unpleasantness. Alternatively, a polite, "sorry but we're actually closed today" would have been appropriate (this is how 99% of people would handle this). Instead, we received an unnecessary degree of aggression when we had just made a simple (and understandable) mistake.
I wouldn't normally bother posting such a complaint about an old lady with poor people skills, but think other 'foreigners' should be warned to keep away. Where someone comes from, or why they are in Totnes should not be of any concern to staff/ volunteers at the Guildhall. The lady could have politely explained our mistake but instead she treated us like criminals.
I wouldn't normally bother posting such a complaint about an old lady with poor people skills, but think other 'foreigners' should be warned to keep away. Where someone comes from, or why they are in Totnes should not be of any concern to staff/ volunteers at the Guildhall. The lady could have politely explained our mistake but instead she treated us like criminals.
Written October 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IAN D
Wigan, UK26,377 contributions
Sep 2024 • Solo
Totnes Guildhall has nearly a thousand years of history for you to explore with the original priory building dating back to 1088. In the early 1500s England monasteries were dissolved under the rule of Henry VIII and most of this building was destroyed. In 1553 the Guildhall was built and over the years it has been used as the town gaol, boy’s school, magistrates court, and is still used today as the Council Chambers for Totnes Town Council.
You can see the boards of Totnes mayors dating back to 1359 and the Council Chamber where Oliver Cromwell sat to plan the closing stages of the Civil War in 1646.
You can see the boards of Totnes mayors dating back to 1359 and the Council Chamber where Oliver Cromwell sat to plan the closing stages of the Civil War in 1646.
Written September 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
peacefullife
London, UK158 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Lots of interesting history. Cromwell is said to have visited. Photography is allowed and encouraged. Do make a donation if you visit. Allow 20 minutes to an hour, depending on how much reading you do and how much time you spend talking to the knowledgeable frendly staff.
Written July 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TUFC
Dunblane, Scotland175 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
We saw a board on the high street saying it was open so we followed the signs to the back of the church . It was just closing but we were welcomed in and told we could walk round . The hall was very impressive as was the council chamber . Good to also see the cells and the robes .
Written May 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your review - we're really glad you enjoyed your visit to us
Written May 26, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Julie R
Penzance, UK6 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
Brilliant visit with our little grandson. Lots to see, Don kindly locked him in the prison cell, and he was able to put me in the pillory after being a magistrate. We enjoyed it too, thanks to Don for his interesting stories and operating the automata.
Written August 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian S
London, England, United Kingdom31 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
We had an amazing tour given by Dick Adams (hope I got the name right). He was full of information and anecdote and delivered it with wit and gripping story -telling. Highly recommended.
Written October 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Allan C
Ipswich, UK541 contributions
Sep 2020
The Guildhall was closed as we walked through from a car park to the high street but being used to Eastern Guildhalls it does not seem terribly impressive. Its site seems a little cramped by the church and we may have passed it by without a second look had itnot been for the plaque and the roof. I hope this review is doing the building an injustice and that we were just unlucky.
Written September 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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